Baggies play down bust-up claims

West Brom have played down claims of a dressing room bust-up in the wake of their dramatic Barclays Premier League draw with Cardiff.

Tempers flared following Saturday's 3-3 draw with the Bluebirds at the Hawthorns after Mats Daehli snatched a last-gasp equaliser for the visitors.

However, the Baggies have insisted the incident was nothing out of the ordinary and has been dealt with.

A club spokesman said: "Tensions were understandably running high in the dressing room after Cardiff's late equaliser, but the incident has been sensationalised in the media.

"What happened is not uncommon in a dressing room and shows that the players care.

"The players involved have apologised. The club has drawn a line under the matter and is now fully focussing on Saturday's important game at Norwich."

Reports on Tuesday morning suggested England Under-21 striker Saido Berahino, a 72nd-minute replacement for Morgan Amalfitano, had been confronted by angry team-mates after conceding possession in the run-up to Daehli's strike.

However, sources in the midlands have refuted suggestions that chief executive Mark Jenkins was forced to read to riot act to the players.

Indeed, Press Association Sport understands the repercussions were dealt with in the dressing room and that order was soon restored.

Saturday's draw saw West Brom pass up the opportunity to ease themselves six points clear of the relegation zone.

They led 2-0 after just nine minutes through goals from Amalfitano and Graham Dorrans, but were pegged back as Jordon Mutch and Steven Caulker struck either side of the break.

However, substitute Thievy Bifouma looked to have snatched victory in the fourth minute of injury time, only for Daehli's late and, for the home side, costly intervention.

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West Brom sit in 17th place in the table, three points better off than Cardiff in 18th and having played a game fewer.

Their seven remaining games include home fixtures against Tottenham, West Ham and Stoke, while they must travel to Norwich, Manchester City, Arsenal and Sunderland.

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